Meet the Business
Whilst in lockdown we decided to launch 'Meet the Business', a series of short videos, where we chat with the people behind their Somerset business. We get a chance to find out what they do, how they do it and more importantly, why they do it. It also gives a broad look into how Covid-19 has affected different business sectors.
Informal chats are recorded via Zoom and offer a chance to share tips, information and advice.
Informal chats are recorded via Zoom and offer a chance to share tips, information and advice.
News
Following the success of our 'Meet the Business' video series (documenting businesses during Covid-19), we are launching our Word Gets Around Business Show! Live on Youtube! Find out more.
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In this video, we chat with Dora Aston, Director of Think! Associates, Brand Design and Marketing based in Taunton, Somerset. A subject very close to our heart, as designers ourselves. We discuss the value of design and brand strategy and working in collaboration with others that makes for some stunning results both visually and in clients seeing their business grow and succeed.
www.thinkassociates.co.uk |
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In this video, we chat with Ruth Lambert, Development Manager at the Federation of Small Businesses. We discuss the role the FSB has had in helping businesses during Covid-19 and some of the challenges their members have faced.
They work in partnership with local councils, HMRC and central government to help businesses to get the support they need. In these unprecedented times, it can be a time for business owners to see the opportunities, and while in lockdown to take stock of where their business is, and embrace online tools to get the support they need. www.fsb.org.uk |
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In this video, we chat with Stephen Henagulph, Chief Executive of Somerset Chamber of Commerce. They are a membership-based business support organisation which promotes and lobbies for business development in Somerset.
We discuss what the Somerset Chamber of Commerce do for their members, how they do it, and the impact of COVID-19 on Somerset Businesses. www.somerset-chamber.co.uk |
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In this video, we chat with Martyn Lowesmith, director of Sky Space. We discuss mindset, culture, connecting and needing to evaluate relationships and our motivation to succeed in the future.
Sky Space are team and organisational development specialists. Martyn has a gift for connecting people and businesses with their own humanity. He has decades of experience in business ownership and working as a human-focused transformation specialist with expertise in team and organisational development, consultancy, training, sales, management and systemic coaching. Find out more at: https://sky-space.co.uk/ |
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In this video, we chat with Simon Cutler, a director of Blackdown Financial in Taunton. He is an independent Financial Planner who helps clients plan for their future.
The Coronavirus has changed how people feel about the future. It has given some time to step back and think about what is really important. This may be thinking about your finances in detail, retirement plans, or making some changes to help your family. We discuss its impact on the financial markets and how what is happening right now will affect our future. One thing is sure, all businesses need to adapt to future proof their business growth. Visit their visit: www.blackdownfinancial.co.uk |
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In this video, we chat with Jeremy Hyams, Chief Executive Officer at Claims Consortium Group. When he founded Claims Consortium Group 21 years ago he had the vision to make a positive impact on the way property insurance claims were handled. During lockdown he has had all 300 staff working from home, and his team has developed new systems to help grow their business. They have also launched a free wellbeing resource hub:
www.loveourcommunity.co.uk We discuss home working, business culture, Digital Taunton, opportunities, pizza and how to win at monopoly. www.claimsconsortiumgroup.co.uk |
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In this video, we chat with Chris Lorimer about purpose, networking, lockdown, opportunity and business growth. Chris is the founder of South West Growth Service Limited, and someone who loves working with organisations to help them grow and prosper. He is highly connected in the South West and works with ambitious clients across multiple sectors. He is also proud to run Devon Business & Education Centre (DBEC), a co-working hub in East Devon that brings expertise and ambition together to achieve transformational results. If you'd like to know more, feel free to connect with Chris on Linkedin and visit his websites.
www.linkedin.com/in/lorimerconsulting www.southwestgrowthservice.co.uk www.dbec.co.uk www.373group.com |
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In this video, we chat with Rob Perks, chief executive at Inspire, a business who inspire, advise and support enterprise across Wiltshire and NE Somerset. Rob is an experienced business strategist, having studied this with operational efficiency at Warwick Business School.
During the Coronavirus Inspire at first helped their clients to access financial support from the government. Now they are advising and working with business owners, as we slowly start to leave lockdown, to review and maybe redesign their process in line with the everyday practices and restrictions. Is your business expendable? Or are your products or service simply nice to have? How can you evolve your business to meet demand, to adapt your product or service as something that is essential to have. www.inspirebiz.co.uk |
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The Coronavirus has affected us all, and with that comes an honesty, to be allowed to be seen to be vulnerable, as humans on similar paths to working through it all together.
In this video, we chat Karen Morledge, the founder of Morledge & Co. Karen is a qualified, multi-award-winning PR and marketing consultant, committed to enabling businesses to perform better across Somerset. Brand communication has appropriately changed in line with the Covid19. People buy from people, and investing in honesty and trust helps to cement strong business relationships that last. Visit their website: https://morledgeandco.com/ |
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In this video, we chat with Peter Andrews, founder and director of Introtweet. They have established an enviable reputation for providing social media training and management services to a diverse range of businesses from small local firms to large international companies.
Social media has been a lifeline for many during Covid19, especially Facebook. connecting communities to help those in need and to keep spirits up during a dark time. In this video we discuss how to unlock the power of social media for your business and how, like any form of marketing, it takes time to reap the rewards. Visit their website: www.introtweet.com |
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In this video, we chat with Laura O'Driscoll, founder and managing director of OD Talent Solutions. They are a Management Consultancy specialising in Recruitment Solutions and Talent Acquisition. They deliver bespoke Interim In-House Recruitment Solutions for organisations to support existing In-House Functions or HR Teams.
We discuss the impact of Covid-19 virus on the recruitment industry, and how finding the right people, for the right role, and company, is vital in allowing a positive company culture to thrive and increase growth. Visit their website: odtalentsolutions.co.uk |
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In this video we catch up with Hugh Graham from The Bid Coach. Hugh helps businesses to win bids and tenders, working alongside their team to maximise the opportunities to succeed.
We discuss how businesses have adapted during the Coronavirus pandemic and how adopting a more honest, authentic 'window on our world' helps to nurture relationships further. A bit part of our buying decisions are made on an emotional level, forming long term partnerships based on trust. Visit his website: www.thebidcoach.co.uk |
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In this video we chat with Bethan Turner, owner of All About You, a fresh thinking, forward-looking business offering bespoke events, marketing, and PR services to get you sorted and seen.
Bethan has helped so many people during the Covid-19 crisis sharing help, support, advice and radiating infectious positivity. She has been a breath of fresh air in helping to modernise the Taunton Chamber of Commerce (a client of hers), to be more open, transparent, inclusive and become a 'cool' organisation. Visit her website: www.allaboutyou.business |
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The Coronavirus pandemic has affected us all. One positive has been in technology and keeping us connected online. In this video we discussed the short and long term messages and approach for businesses with digital marketing expert Sarah Coward from SLC Digital Marketing.
It is time to reevaluate things a little, by taking a step back. Small businesses have embraced social media to alter their tone and we have seen genuine connections become stronger in communities. Sarah loves helping businesses grow and achieve their digital marketing objectives. They love the creativity and variety of the work that each and every client brings us. Visit her website: www.slcdigitalmarketing.co.uk |
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2020 was a year that many couples had marked as the one to begin their marital life. A new decade, a new beginning. Things do not always go to plan.
Jenny Maynard is the founder of The Boho Bride Guide, a business development community created for wedding suppliers or individuals looking to start their own wedding business, eager to attract couples looking to create a Boho Luxe wedding day. Jenny has had to 'pivot' her business due to the Coronavirus and in this video she talks us through her plans. Visit her website: www.thebohobrideguide.com |
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Pam Knight has a wealth of experience in marketing strategy, PR, copywriting, digital marketing, and advertising to name a few. She also really knows her stuff when it comes to SEO and provides website audits for her clients to make sure their digital shop window (website) performs as best as it can. In this video we discuss how marketing isn't a tap you can turn off and on, and how we should all know what's going with the data, mechanics and customer experience with our website.
Visit her website: www.whiteknightmarketing.co.uk |
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Have you found yourself in a leadership position and feeling a bit out of your depth and needing to know what you should be doing? Have you struggled to harness what really gets you motivated? Then leadership and motivational coach Mark Terrell is your man.
Finding what drives us is key to feeling fulfilled and for any workforce it's about unlocking potential, productivity and harmony, as part of your company culture and business growth. Visit his website: www.thereluctantleader.academy |
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In this video, we chat to Kate O'Sullivan, Managing Director of ADPR. They are a Somerset based PR agency that has been delivering high-impact results for over 26 years. Kate has grown with the company to help their clients with brand strategy and communication.
It has been an interesting time for PR with the Coronavirus pandemic, as we all adapt our key messages, see the opportunities, by embracing change. Visit their website: www.adpr.co.uk |
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In this video, we chat with the Leader at Somerset West and Taunton Council. It has been a year to the day that Federica took the position and the task to work her team to shape a new-look council. It has been a year of change and many challenges along the way. The Coronavirus pandemic has rocked the world, and for the council, the focus has been on supporting local businesses and the community. We discussed some of these issues and how the future may look as adapt and evolve through this crisis.
Visit their website: www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk |
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Teresa Wort is a Mindfulness and Compassion Teacher in Somerset. Mindfulness involves learning to be fully present in the here and now.
Teresa gives a very honest account of her own story and how mindfulness has transformed her life, and how it encouraged her to train to become a teacher to be able to help others. As we all combat the Coronavirus being compassionate and in the now has never seemed so apt. You can listen to her FREE resource for Guide for a Mindful Walk on her website. Teresa is available for online support via Zoom for individuals and groups. She hopes to be back on the speaking circuit soon. https://www.teresawort.co.uk/ |
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Apps, tech, websites, tech, tech and erm, more tech. Shane Griffiths lives and breathes all things digital. Product design, building apps, websites, and digital communication all get him excited. The Idea Bureau have clients all over the world. As a remote business, the impact of Coronavirus has luckily not hit them too hard, more by providing more opportunities to connect online, up-skill, and play with some cool tech along the way.
Find out more about both The Idea Bureau and Digital Taunton: https://theideabureau.co/ https://www.meetup.com/digitaltaunton/ |
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Richard Hussey is a copywriter and content, strategy consultant. In this interesting discussion, we discuss how businesses can review, adapt, and repackage some of their marketing communication. Does your marketing sound like everyone else? Are there opportunities there to differentiate your business from your competitors and be more distinctive? Do you truly understand your culture and values, and are you communicating this effectively?
Find out more about Richard's services here: www.rshcopywriting.co.uk www.linkedin.com/in/richardhussey1 |
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Skymark Financial launched on 1st March 2020, amid the outbreak of Coronavirus. We talk with Director Mark Howard to find out what it's been like as a startup that helps small businesses to be a startup himself.
Find out more about Mark's accountancy services here: www.skymarkfinancial.co.uk |
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The best project you'll ever work on is yourself. Lorraine is a transformational navigator, to lead people in the direct in their life that they want to go. Driven by her own experiences Lorraine has the tools and background to help anyone. We enjoyed finding out more about what she does and how beginning to make small changes can make a big difference.
Find out more about Lorraine's services here: www.youllknowwhenyougetthere.co.uk |
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Ian Lewis has always had a creative edge with his photography. We have worked with him a number of times. With a saturated market he wanted to take a different direction with his business. Today he specialises in creating bespoke 360 degree virtual tours for use on your own website, across your social media platforms and for integration into Google Street View, Google Maps and within your Google Profile. We enjoyed talking about his journey and how virtual tours can really make a difference for your online visitors.
Find out more about Ian's services here: https://360southwest.co.uk/ |
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With the ongoing Coronavirus problems in 2020 a group of people got together and started a Facebook group to bring together those in need of help and those offering to help. Natalie Dyson was one of the founding members. We enjoyed hearing about how it all evolved and the community spirit that was there in abundance as people from all walks of life worked as one.
Check out the Facebook group here |
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Social media is common place today. It's evolved so fast, so being up to speed is important. Katie and her team revel in all things digital, to communicate, connect and engage. The Social Giraffe have a wealth of knowledge in the digital area. It was good to catch up with Katie and hear how businesses have coped on their social channels during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Find out more about The Social Giraffe here. |
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Natalie is the director and owner of Reds Hair Salon in Taunton. The town has a large numbers of salons and barbers. While some team come and go the team at Reds have been here many years, constantly training and harnessing new styles to give you that 'wow' factor. They have an established client base and a relationship that grows over time. With the Coronavirus it has been a time to down tools, connect with clients online and on the phone, and have a few laughs at the lockdown haircuts!
The team are very active on Facebook, so check them out here www.redshairsalon.co.uk |
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Trish Caller is Taunton born and bred, and very proud of the fact. She loves organising shows and attracting the best talent to Somerset, from stand up comedy, award shows, charity events to baby showers.
The entertainment industry took one of the biggest hits during the coronaviris pandemic, with venues closing their doors until further notice. Trish shares her honest take on the events and the passion for what she does. Find out more about Genius PR & Events here... www.geniusprandevents.co.uk |
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Alex made the bold move to leave a large organisation to go it alone with his own business, but he's never looked back. He's a guy in his element, helping people with learning disabilities to learn new skills and use technology to connect and create projects.
During the Coronavirus pandemic his clients were all able to keep in touch online and were much less inept than some of us technophobes! Find out more out Alex and his work here: www.youritnow.co.uk |
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The focus on mental health is growing, after years of stigma attached to the subject. Becky Wright is psychotherapist and counsellor with years of experience in this field. We enjoyed catching up with her on the subject and how having trained Mental First Aiders in the workplace can help people and businesses to flourish.
Find out more about Becky and her work here... www.newleaf.uk.com |